Motorola Photon 4G hits Sprint on July 31 for $199

Sprint today introduced the Motorola Photon 4G, the company’s first WiMAX handset that doubles as a world phone, and will launch the smartphone on July 31. Sprint Premiere Customers get a three-day head start on availability for the Google Android 2.3 smartphone, able to purchase the device on July 28. Optional accessories such as a wireless keyboard and television dock can help turn the Photon 4G into a productivity tool or home entertainment set-top box.

The new Photon 4G can also leverage both of Sprint’s 3G and 4G networks to act as a wireless hotspots for up to eight additional devices. Travelers will appreciate the SIM card support and GSM radio; something that’s rare for Sprint phones as they’re based on CDMA technology. Don’t expect speedy data connections outside of the U.S., however. Motorola’s Photon 4G supports Class 12 EDGE and GPRS networks, so no 4G mobile broadband once your and your Photon cross international borders